Steven A. Zalesin, Partner

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP is pleased to announce that six of our practice areas and twelve of our partners and counsel received recognition in the newly released Chambers USA - America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2021.

Chambers rankings are based on extensive research and interviews with peers and clients around the country. The qualities assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.

The following Firm practices were recognized:

• Advertising: Litigation – National
• Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
• Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – New York
• Litigation: Securities: Institutional Plaintiffs – Mainly RMBS Litigation – New York
• Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – New York
• Real Estate: Mainly Dirt – New York

In addition, the following partners and counsel were recognized:

• William F. Cavanaugh, Jr. in Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
• Gregory L. Diskant in Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
• Joshua A. Goldberg in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – New York
• Andrew L. Herz in Real Estate – New York
• Robert P. LoBue in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – New York
• Lewis V. Popovski in Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
• Geoffrey Potter in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – New York
• Daniel S. Ruzumna in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – New York
• Harry Sandick in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – New York
• Peter Tomlinson in Litigation: Securities: Institutional Plaintiffs – Mainly RMBS Litigation – New York
• John D. Winter in Product Liability & Mass Torts – National
• Steven A. Zalesin in Advertising: Litigation – National

Comments regarding the Firm from the Chambers 2021 guide include:

ADVERTISING: LITIGATION – NATIONWIDE

"Remains a go-to firm for high-stakes advertising litigation. Particularly noted for representing leading brands in false advertising disputes, with a strong capability in handling cases that go to trial. Also possesses a nationwide practice in the defense of consumer class actions. Particularly active on behalf of clients in the food and drink industry.

Sources Say: 'They are extremely hard-working and efficient. They are also extremely responsive, very strategic and thoughtful, and I am really pleased with their work.'

Another client adds: 'They are top-notch - truly a 'dream' provider for an in-house lawyer. I've found them to be strategic, well connected, highly informed, and detail-oriented.'

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Steven Zalesin is a renowned litigator with a particular focus on false advertising disputes. He is described by interviewees as 'terrific - highly strategic and remarkably efficient, bringing the value of years of experience and a myriad of professional contacts to bear on each matter in a straightforward, soft-spoken way. That ensures we get to great outcomes in a very efficient way.' 'He is extremely smart and knows the law backwards and forwards.' 'He is terrific - a go-to lawyer in the industry and a force to be reckoned with in the Lanham Act space.'"

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: PATENT, TRADE MARK & COPYRIGHT – NEW YORK

"Draws acclaim for its strong offering across the patent, trademark and copyright spaces. Possesses strength and depth in a number of areas including pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, boasting an impressive client roster of market-leading clients.

Sources Say: 'The firm provides excellent client service,' one source notes, adding: 'The lawyers get things done quickly and promptly, achieve excellent results and are smart and creative.'

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Gregory Diskant is an esteemed patent litigator with substantial experience litigating high-value patent disputes. He has particular expertise in the medical device and pharmaceutical space and has a noted track record in Hatch-Waxman cases.

William Cavanaugh is considered 'A fabulous trial lawyer with great presence in the courtroom' by his peers and is distinguished by his expertise in patent disputes arising in the life sciences sector. His broad practice includes Hatch-Waxman litigation and patent assertion.

Robert LoBue combines his substantial trademark and copyright experience with expertise in First Amendment matters. He has been described as 'an expert in transactional copyright work.'

Geoffrey Potter is well known for his work in the anticounterfeit space, frequently representing clients in industries including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages and consumer goods. One source says: 'He is a smart and creative lawyer who provides excellent client service.'

Lewis Popovski acts for notable clients in the technology sector and draws praise for his work litigating patent infringement disputes."

LITIGATION: SECURITIES: INSTITUTIONAL PLAINTIFFS – MAINLY RMBS LITIGATION – NEW YORK

"Go-to RMBS litigation practice that remains a top choice for institutional plaintiffs. Regularly acts for monoline insurers in high-value actions brought against financial institutions, with a strong track record of securing multi million-dollar settlements. Leverages notable expertise in corporate and real estate matters when advising on securities disputes.

Sources Say: They appreciates the team's 'creativity' and 'outside-the-box strategies,' adding: 'They are consummate tacticians and strategists, basing their advice on a clear-headed assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the client’s position.'

Peers underline the firm's 'exceptional work in the RMBS space.'

KEY INDIVIDIUALS: Peter Tomlinson is regarded by sources as 'smart, creative and a high-EQ communicator,' and handles a range of RMBS and complex financial product litigation. He acts for a number of major bond insurers as well as institutional investors. Interviewees describe him as 'a savvy litigator with many years of experience in complex commercial litigation' and 'a strong lawyer who is well liked by his clients.'"

LITIGATION: WHITE-COLLAR CRIME & GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS – NEW YORK

"Longstanding New York-based firm with a solid presence in the white-collar defense sphere. Sports former high-ranking DOJ officials and distinguished former prosecutors in its ranks. Called on by both individuals and corporate clients to guide them through complex regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings by bodies such as the DOJ, SEC and CFTC.

Sources Say: One client praises the team's 'detailed understanding of how we work and can pinpoint an issue within the fabric of our company. They are truly excellent and punch way above their size.'

The team has earned a strong reputation for having 'terrific lawyers involved in interesting cases.'

'They are very good at assembling a team of people who can quickly understand complex facts and demonstrate that the government does not need to pursue what they are pursuing,' according to an interviewee.

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Daniel Ruzumna acts for an array of individual and corporate clients seeking representation in complex criminal proceedings and investigations involving fraud, asset forfeiture and antitrust issues, among others. He is co-chair of the firm's white-collar department, and is described as 'A terrific strategist with a good feel for cases.'

Joshua Goldberg co-chairs the firm's white-collar group, and is widely praised for his work representing clients in litigation involving allegations such as fraud, insider trading and RICO violations. Interviewees consider him an 'pragmatic and business-oriented with an extremely effective presentation style.' 'He understands the facts, marshals the evidence and communicates effectively with the government.'

Harry Sandick is described as being 'really engaged in the developments of the law' and has a wealth of experience handling criminal investigations on behalf of both individual and corporate clients, including matters with cross-border complexities. Another interviewee said, 'He does a great job at helping individual clients understand what they need to get them to a place where they need to be.'"

PRODUCT LIABILITY & MASS TORTS – NATIONWIDE

"John Winter is a seasoned practitioner who frequently represents major multinational companies on pharmaceutical and medical device MDLs, with further experience in toxic torts. His practice sees him appear before both state and federal courts.

Sources say: 'He is just known as an incredible attorney - his knowledge of the inner workings of court and his overall knowledge of rules and statutes is amazing.' 'He is an excellent all-around lawyer, who is very good at analyzing issues, working with witness and then trying cases.'"

REAL ESTATE: MAINLY DIRT – NEW YORK

"Highly regarded leasing practice, regularly engaged by major tenants and landlords for complex transactions. Also proficient in the financing, acquisition and disposition of high-value real estate assets.

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Andrew Herz operates a broad-based commercial real estate lawyer advising corporate clients on acquisition, development and leasing transactions."